Bidding War for Dell Appears Likely

A bidding war for Dell Inc. appears likely, with Blackstone Group LP and Carl Icahn separately expressing interest in the company on Friday before a key deadline for offers expired.

Blackstone and Mr. Icahn, an activist investor, each notified a special committee of Dell's board that they are working on firm bids for the computer maker, a step that will afford them four more days to put together offers, people familiar with the matter...